ULTA ICONS

THE ULTA BEAUTY PRO TEAM HAS OVER 100 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE FROM ALL CORNERS OF INDUSTRY. THE TEAM SUPPORT, EDUCATE, AND INSPIRE

ULTA BEAUTY STYLISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ACHIEVE THEIR ULTIMATE ARTISTIC POTENTIAL. WE SPOKE TO THE ICONS THEMSELVES TO FIND OUT WHAT THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS.

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The Ulta Beauty Pro Team is the brainchild of multi award-winning hairstylist and industry icon Nick Stenson, who has thrived under the Ulta Beauty banner for many years. An expert in styling and finishing, Nick has artfully built a team that overflows with talent in everything from editorial and color to haircare and cutting.

As the Ulta Beauty Pro Team continues to grow, we had the absolute pleasure of speaking to three long-standing members, who are each icons in their own right.

First up, we chatted to Sonya Dove. This platform educator, session stylist, and color expert represents the Wella Professional brand as part of the Ulta Beauty Pro Team. Even with the many accountabilities she holds within the salon industry, this globally recognized icon always prioritizes inspiration, education, and mentorship for her stylist community.

This hair powerhouse collaborates with educators from a range of professional haircare brands creating editorial and competition shoots as well as education and trend development designed

ULTA BEAUTY IS ONE OF, IF NOT THE, BIGGEST BEAUTY COMPANY IN THE USA WITH CLOSE TO 1,200 LOCATIONS. THINKING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF STYLISTS IN EACH OF THOSE SALONS, I AM OVERWHELMED AND SO EXCITED BY THE PROSPECT OF HELPING AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE REALLY THRIVE.”

SEAN GODARD to inspire and enrich the minds of stylists, old and new. Her heart still belongs behind the chair and so Sonya continues to offer her client’s salon services as an Elite Designer at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in Santa Monica, CA.

We absolutely loved catching up with this true styling icon at NAHA in April and again at Premiere Orlando in June. Sonya shared some essential advice for how you can have a successful 45-year career like hers. Here goes: “Be patient. It doesn’t happen overnight. Soak up everything you see – take everything in. If you have a question in your head, just ask it. If someone is a great educator, that’s what they’re there for, to answer questions. Never be afraid to ask. Also, you must be consistent, have strength, have fun, and enjoy! Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. We’re in an industry of glitz and glamor and it’s all about inspiring others.”

Sonya on the Ulta Beauty Pro Team: “What’s interesting about the team is that every single person has their own talents and is working with different brands in tandem with the Ulta Beauty Pro Team. You know everybody’s work just by looking at it. Everyone brings something unique to the team, and that’s the key; celebrating people for their individuality and their ability.” Find Sonya on Instagram as @thesonyadove

Our next Ulta Beauty Icon is the one and only David Lopez (he/they). An esteemed hair extensions specialist, celeb stylist, and color pro, they are powered by passion and a commitment to help every single person feel comfortable and fabulous in their own skin. In David’s own words, they are here to: “Help you feel good and degenderize the beauty space.” David is Puerto Rican and operates in the US today. They were trained in the French techniques of haircutting. This beauty powerhouse also has expertise in non-gendered self-care. They’ve worked with some of the biggest salons and brands in New York City, and counts Chrissy Teigen, Ashley Graham, and Anne Hathaway as clients. What makes David unique is their in-depth understanding of the beauty industry from both the feminine-presenting and masculine-presenting perspectives – they toy with the power of makeup as well as the transformative nature of hair. They can be anyone they want – and so can you! David told us what the Ulta Beauty Pro Team means to them: “The Ulta Beauty Pro Team’s creative process really encourages all of us to express our unique talents and abilities. Some of us are great at thinking about the ‘bigger picture’ and overall vision. Some of us are superstars at the logistical details of bringing a style to life.”

The Pro Team is a shimmering melting pot of talent, no? “Yes! We tend to manage styles that are best suited to our capabilities and style strengths but that doesn’t mean we don’t share ideas or add final tweaks. It all feels very collaborative and synergistic.” Find David on Instagram as @davidlopezzz

Canadian-born and NYC-based Sean Godard is an award-winning hair colorist, celebrity stylist, global Redken ambassador, and another iconic member of the Ulta Beauty Pro Team. His color work is incredible, specializing most recently in shades of copper and auburn – true elements of the season! Sean has a very refined talent for adding vivaciousness to classic techniques like balayage and highlights. We especially love his unique ability to make every color he works with seem like the model’s natural hair color. What do you mean no one is born with pastel peach locks?! Sean told us what lead him into the world of hair… “I was actually lured toward a career in hair because of a terrible experience I had at a salon!”

He told the story: “I went in with a picture and asked for something that was maybe a little unrealistic – but the stylist’s job is to know what is achievable and how it happens, so I can’t be blamed!” he laughed. Obviously, we wanted to know what style it was. He admitted: “Oh, it was probably a frosted tip – it was the 2000’s, let me be! Anyway, I ended up leaving the salon with not-so-frosted tips – they were orange. Now as a seasoned professional, I know that obviously she didn’t leave the bleach on long enough or saturate it enough… I noticed that often, these blunders are caused by lack of knowledge in stylists – something was missing… That something is quality education! That’s why I do what I do with the Ulta Beauty Pro Team! To help stylists and colorists be the absolute best versions of themselves.”

What makes Sean so passionate about being an educator? “Honestly, it’s because stylists are interested in what I have to say, and value the knowledge that I share. What I might think is the smallest detail can change someone’s game for the next 15 years. It’s about providing another perspective – backed up by real experience, of course – and opening their eyes to fresh ways of doing things.

“Ultimately, seeing techniques and trends through the eyes of someone different to yourself can transform how you work, give better results, create a buzz around your work, bring in clientele, and really make you money. It’s a full love connection here!”

Why Ulta Beauty? “I have access to help so many people through the Ulta Beauty Pro Team. Ulta Beauty is one of, if not the, biggest beauty company in the USA with close to 1,200 locations. I have never worked with a salon company who invest so much into their stylists in terms of education and support. Our campaign for the six-figure stylist seems so unreachable to some salon stylists, but you better believe there really are stylists working in Ulta Beauty locations who earn six figures! Ulta Beauty gives them the tools they need to refine their practical skillset while boosting their business acumen too. We really are an all-rounder when it comes to empowering and supporting the stylists of today.” Find Sean on Instagram as @seangodard